In another thread (( click here ) ...
Under the new rules (England), the only pertinent work which is notifiable is “any addition or alteration to existing circuits in a special location”. The question is therefore whether replacing one light fitting with another light fitting constitutes an “alteration” (rather than a ‘replacement’) – and I personally doubt that it does. Even under the ‘old rules’, 1(a) of the Schedule allowed “replacing any fixed equipment....” without notification (even within bathroom zones), and it was frequently pointed out that ‘replacement’ did not necessarily mean ‘like for like’ (which would often be impossible, anyway, due to non-availability of old products) – i.e. that replacing one light fitting with a different light fitting was a ‘replacement’.
So what do people think? My inclination is to say that replacing a light fitting with a different light fitting is a ‘replacement’, not an ‘alteration’ – and hence not notifiable under current rules (England), even if within bathroom zones. If one disagrees with that (and therefore thinks that it is now notifiable), this would be an example (the only example?) of something that is notifiable now (in England) but which would not have been notifiable before April – which I find hard to believe was intended.
Kind Regards, John
I have no argument with that answer. However, what if the light fittings are within the bathroom zones (PBoD's answer above seems to imply that the work would be notifiable if within zones)?... notification is not required if replacing and if fitting are outside the bathroom zones.There are 3 downlighters in the bathroom ... I plan on swapping these for 3 x 12v downlighters with each having there own tranformer. Would I need to ... notify building control to swap these?
Under the new rules (England), the only pertinent work which is notifiable is “any addition or alteration to existing circuits in a special location”. The question is therefore whether replacing one light fitting with another light fitting constitutes an “alteration” (rather than a ‘replacement’) – and I personally doubt that it does. Even under the ‘old rules’, 1(a) of the Schedule allowed “replacing any fixed equipment....” without notification (even within bathroom zones), and it was frequently pointed out that ‘replacement’ did not necessarily mean ‘like for like’ (which would often be impossible, anyway, due to non-availability of old products) – i.e. that replacing one light fitting with a different light fitting was a ‘replacement’.
So what do people think? My inclination is to say that replacing a light fitting with a different light fitting is a ‘replacement’, not an ‘alteration’ – and hence not notifiable under current rules (England), even if within bathroom zones. If one disagrees with that (and therefore thinks that it is now notifiable), this would be an example (the only example?) of something that is notifiable now (in England) but which would not have been notifiable before April – which I find hard to believe was intended.
Kind Regards, John